OnePlus 7T Pro vs. Google Pixel 4 XL: A Deep Dive into Performance, Battery, and Camera

Released within months of each other in 2019, the OnePlus 7T Pro and Google Pixel 4 XL represent distinct philosophies in the Android flagship space. The 7T Pro prioritized raw performance and a fluid display experience, while the Pixel 4 XL doubled down on Google’s computational photography prowess and a clean software experience. Now, with both phones available at significantly reduced prices, the decision becomes more complex, demanding a detailed comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and sustained performance, the OnePlus 7T Pro is the clear winner. Its 100-hour endurance rating, coupled with the Snapdragon 855+ chipset, provides a more reliable experience than the Pixel 4 XL’s 73-hour rating and slightly less powerful Snapdragon 855. However, the Pixel 4 XL’s camera remains a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 7T Pro Google Pixel 4 XL
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Global
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA
Launch
Announced2019, October 102019, October 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2019, October 12Available. Released 2019, October 22
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm (6.31 x 2.96 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~516 ppi density)1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~537 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 98.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+P-OLED, 90Hz, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640 (700 MHz)Adreno 640
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1Android 10, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 12GB RAM - McLaren Edition only UFS 3.0UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual-12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 78mm (telephoto), 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), AF-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1.22µm, no AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging30W wired18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless
TypeLi-Po 4085 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsHaze Blue, McLaren EditionClearly White, Just Black, Oh So Orange
ModelsHD1911, HD1913, HD1910G020P, G020, GA01181-US, GA01182-US, GA01180-US
PriceAbout 1030 EURAbout 180 EUR
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM-$ 364.52
64GB 6GB RAM-$ 274.99
RENEWED-$ 149.00
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB Noise -93.9 / Crosstalk -94.1
Battery life Endurance rating 100h Endurance rating 73h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker Voice 90dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 82dB Voice 80dB / Noise 78dB / Ring 88dB
Performance AnTuTu: 395868 (v7), 493901 (v8) GeekBench: 11246 (v4.4), 2803 (v5.1) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 323305 (v7), 403267 (v8) GeekBench: 10171 (v4.4), 2267 (v5.1) GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus 7T Pro

  • Superior battery life (100h endurance)
  • Faster charging (30W Warp Charge)
  • Smoother 90Hz display
  • More powerful Snapdragon 855+ chipset

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • OxygenOS, while clean, isn't stock Android

Google Pixel 4 XL

  • Exceptional camera image processing
  • Stock Android experience with timely updates
  • Wireless charging support
  • Competitive price point

  • Significantly shorter battery life (73h endurance)
  • Slower charging speeds (18W)
  • Standard 60Hz display

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 7T Pro boasts a 90Hz display, offering a noticeably smoother scrolling experience compared to the Pixel 4 XL’s standard 60Hz panel. While both feature excellent color reproduction, the 7T Pro’s ‘Infinite’ (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a superior viewing experience, particularly with dark content. The Pixel 4 XL’s display, however, benefits from Google’s tuning and potentially better color accuracy out of the box, though this is difficult to quantify without detailed calibration data. Bezels are comparable, but the 90Hz refresh rate gives the 7T Pro a distinct advantage for interactive use.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 4 XL is renowned for its computational photography, leveraging Google’s software algorithms to produce stunning images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While both phones offer photo and video capabilities, the Pixel 4 XL’s strength lies in its image processing. Without detailed sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a direct hardware comparison. However, Google’s software optimizations often compensate for hardware limitations. The 7T Pro likely offers more versatility with its camera system, but the Pixel 4 XL consistently delivers excellent results with minimal user effort.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 series, but the OnePlus 7T Pro edges out the Pixel 4 XL with the Snapdragon 855+ chipset. The ‘+’ variant features a slightly higher clock speed (2.96 GHz vs 2.84 GHz) and improved thermal performance. While the CPU core configuration is identical (Octa-core with the same Kryo 485 arrangement), the 855+ allows for sustained peak performance for longer durations, crucial for demanding games and applications. Both phones share 6GB of RAM, but the 7T Pro’s superior thermal management translates to less throttling under heavy load.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 7T Pro’s 100-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses the Pixel 4 XL’s 73-hour rating. This difference is attributable to a combination of factors, including a more efficient chipset (Snapdragon 855+ vs 855) and potentially a larger battery capacity (though specific mAh figures are unavailable). The 7T Pro also supports 30W Warp Charge, enabling significantly faster charging speeds (0-100% in approximately 68 minutes) compared to the Pixel 4 XL’s 18W charging with PD2.0. The Pixel 4 XL does offer wireless charging, a feature absent on the 7T Pro, but the convenience is offset by the slower charging speeds.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 7T Pro if you need all-day battery life, prioritize smooth gaming and multitasking, and appreciate a 90Hz display for a more responsive user experience. Buy the Google Pixel 4 XL if you are a photography enthusiast who values Google’s exceptional image processing, prefer a stock Android experience, and don't mind more frequent charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the Pixel 4 XL throttle under sustained load, and how does it compare to the 855+ in the 7T Pro?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 in the Pixel 4 XL is more prone to thermal throttling than the 855+ in the OnePlus 7T Pro. The 855+ features improved thermal architecture and a slightly higher power budget, allowing it to maintain peak performance for longer periods during demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. This difference is noticeable in benchmark tests and real-world usage.
❓ The Pixel 4 XL has a reputation for battery drain. Is the 73-hour endurance rating realistic for typical usage?
The 73-hour endurance rating is based on GSM Arena's testing methodology, which simulates a mix of calls, web browsing, and video playback. Real-world battery life will vary depending on usage patterns. However, the Pixel 4 XL is known to consume more power than the OnePlus 7T Pro, particularly with features like Always-On Display enabled. Expect to charge the Pixel 4 XL more frequently than the 7T Pro.
❓ Is the lack of a headphone jack on either phone a significant drawback?
Both the OnePlus 7T Pro and Google Pixel 4 XL omit the 3.5mm headphone jack. This means users will need to rely on USB-C headphones or Bluetooth wireless audio. While this is a common trend in modern smartphones, it can be inconvenient for users who prefer wired headphones or have a collection of legacy audio equipment.